Assessment of Body Image in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Body Image in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Investigate body image of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, correlating with self-esteem, function and quality of life.

Methods: Forty-three RA patients and thirty-nine control patients between 18 and 70 years were evaluated. The RA group was made up of individuals with a diagnosis of RA and the control group was made up of individuals from the community, paired for gender, age and body mass index. The patients were assessed with regard to body image (Body dysmorphic disorder examination (BDDE)), self-esteem (Rosenberg self-esteem scale), function (Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ)) and quality of life (Short form-36 (SF-36)).

Inclusion Criteria:

• The RA group included patients between 18 and 70 years of age, of either gender, with an established diagnosis of RA based ACR criteria and belonging to functional classes I, II and III. The control group was made up of individuals from the community paired for gender, age and body mass index with RA group.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with fibromyalgia, neurological disease, psychiatric disorders or other severe co-morbidity were excluded from the study.